"Gods damn it princess!"

"Don't call me that!"

"Both of you shut the fuck up and hide!" Spike yelled as he knocked over a couple tables and grabbed the two as he dove behind them. He sat with his back against the wood as the steps of the undead crept closer.

The two struggled to break free of the dragon's grasp to no avail as he even covered their mouths to keep them from making noise. He peeked over the top edge of the table and saw the apologist moving towards the left side of the room. It wasn't until he felt something ramming against him that he realized Sunset and Bix were jabbing him as hard as they could.

"Sorry." he whispered as he let them go and looked above the table once more.

"What's the plan big guy?" Bix asked as he tried to wipe the taste of lizard from his mouth.

Sunset followed Spike's actions and peeked at the obstacle that she had unleashed.

"We either wait until that small door opens, which..." he took a second to look towards the slow, upward crawling entrance. "I seriously doubt it would be big enough for me to fit through."

"Second option?" Sunset asked as she ducked down before the thing caught sight of her.

"I get rid of the damn thing here." Spike looked over once more and noticed the undead lumbering across to the middle of the room still some distance away. He took another look at the entrance in hopes of it being open enough to low crawl yet it was still only slightly open.

"You mean we right?"

"Now hold on there princess. I know you're all gung ho about trying to help but let's not forget who's fault it is that thing is even in here."

"I swear to Celestia, Bix if you don't..."

"I don't know who that bitch is but listen here. You said that you'd stop acting like a child so let him handle it and stop trying to force your way into his plans. As he said before, experience is what matters here not a can do attitude. So do us all a favor and shut up so he can explain everything."

Sunset was ready all but ready to pounce on the kid until she felt Spike grab her shoulder. She looked towards him with a look of fury only to have it dissipate as he stared back in an unmoving determination.

"Fine..." She'd done it again. She didn't know why it was that she kept having such an attitude towards their situations or why she didn't rely on Spike fully. It was true that he had grown and encountered many things in this world that Sunset could imagine but, it didn't change the fact that she was used to seeing him as a helpless dog or baby dragon.

"Let's think about this calmly. I can't use my fire on it because of the book. We don't know where the small door leads even if I could fit through it. Sunset's ruby didn't have any effect on it when she tried to damage it."

"The new book she has is useless against it as well. This is really starting to look bleak."

"New book?"

"Bix and I found a book with new spells in it. He said one of them was useless and the other didn't work on undead."

"Senseless Violins and Suck Heat. I swear the divers that came before us had the most useless things. It's a wonder most of them made it as far as this if that was all they had to rely on."

"Those are useless but, maybe there is something we can do after all with one of the books. Sunset how many Amethysts do you have left?"

"Three, along with two Opals, one Garnet, three Rubies and three Emeralds. I don't know what the Garnet or the Emeralds do at all so I'd rather not try them at all."

"Bix, you got anything besides your language book?"

"Nope, it's the only book I have. I do, however, have a smoke bomb."

Spike took a moment to look at the kid before rubbing his eyes once what he said settled in.

"Bix, why do you have a smoke bomb?" Sunset asked.

"He was going to use it on us at some point. But, seeing as how he can hardly move without being in pain it's obvious he decided against such a thing."

"Bix! How could you?!" Sunset said in the loudest whisper she could muster.

"Hey, don't give me that shit. While I appreciate the help you two have given me, I didn't know whether or not you'd just outright betray me once everything was done. It's just business princess."

"Get the bomb ready Bix. Sunset use all four of the Amethysts and throw them towards the undead after the smoke goes off. It might not be much for other creatures but, this being an undead, it should be enough to make it target those instead."

"Then what? We just wait around while it flings the spell at the targets and then randomly around the room once it's agitated?"

"No. Once it's distracted I'll try to sneak up to it and crush it's head."

"That's it? That's your big plan? Spike this is insane you could get caught and end up like that other corpse!" Sunset protested as her voice grew louder.

Bix covered her mouth and peeked over the table with Spike only to see the undead stop moving trying to listen closely for the source of the voice. "Shut the fuck up. Sweet Mother, I swear you're just a walking bundle of ignorance with all the shit you do."

Sunset punched Bix in the chest to make him let go and turned to face Spike as he continued to monitor the apologist.

"Fuck... right in the ribs." Bix struggled to breath as he leaned against the table.

"Fine, let's do this your way Spike."

"Alright. I'll flip over tables as I go along the right side. Bix, when I give the signal throw the bomb. Once both of you do your parts try to crawl through the small door."

"What's the signal?"

"I'm wondering why we can't just go through one of the other doors in the previous room."

"Because, the amount of time it would take to open one of them without incident would leave use open in a hallway where it can easily see us Sunset."

"Uh... the signal?"

"So you expect us to just leave you here to deal with the thing alone? What are you going to do after we crawl through and you can't get in? Or worse, if we can't get out?"

"Guys? I'd really like to know the signal."

"We'll figure that out later. You'll be safer out of here regardless of whether or not I can follow."

"I thought I told you not to treat me like a child."

"And I told you to trust me. If you can't even follow a simple plan as this Sunset then what exactly did you come along for? Do what I say and crawl through with Bix once this is going off." Spike started to move towards the right of the room throwing any stones he could find to the left of the undead and flipping over tables gently so as not to attract noise.

"I swear, he's grown into such a jerk." Sunset watched him move getting the Amethysts ready to go. She looked over to Bix who had the bomb in his hand and was confused as to why he looked so worried. "What's wrong? Don't have a light?"

"What's the signal?" was all he could ask as he took out some flint.

"Wha... Shit!"

They watched as tables were being flipped and the monster followed the movement only to be distracted as rocks hit the opposite wall. In a few minutes Spike had reached the middle of the room. The pair waited for anything that might have been a signal for several minutes only to keep waiting. The undead was closing in on the table that Spike was supposedly behind and there was still a lack of any form of signal.

"What's he doing? Did he already do whatever the signal was?"

"I don't know. Fuck, why did I have to fight with him?"

"Because you're ignorant now shut up and pay attention."

Bix took hold of the bomb and readied the flint while Sunset kept watch on Spike's table. The undead moved closer until it finally came upon the table and pushed it aside to reveal nothing behind it. It was then that the two saw a stream of green fire from the left side of the room.

"Now!" Bix yelled as he lit the bomb and threw it at the apologist clouding it's figure in mass of smoke. Sunset recited the words as quickly as she could and threw the gems into the cloud. They shattered and purple mist formed within taking on her shape.

The apologist's book shone as it tried to direct the magic towards the incorporeal avatars. White lights danced around the images as Spike rushed forward from his hiding spot sword in hand. Meanwhile, Bix and Sunset had retreated towards the small opening and were trying to hurry it's opening as it came close to being able for them to crawl. Bix started his crawl first as Sunset watched the lights flashing from within the smoke. She could hear the monstrosity shrieking it's unholy howl as the sound of Spike's movements told her he was trying to dodge the lights dancing around.

"Hurry the fuck up! I'm already here and there doesn't seem to be anything deadly!" Bix yelled from the other side of the opening prompting the human guised pony to start her crawl.

As she started her crawl she could hear tables smashing and Spike curse.Was the smoke clearing? Did the thing get him? Did he get it? Questions danced in her mind as she continued forward faster. When she reached the other side where Bix was waiting she immediately turned around and looked through the passage. The smoke was diminishing and another shriek cut through the air. The image of Spike flying across her limited vision burned itself into her mind.

"Spike!" she yelled as the undead's book glowed and started to shine over his body.

The yell distracted the apologist and it looked around for the source leaving enough time for Spike to duck behind another table.

"Stay there! I couldn't get it in time. The thing moved before I could get a clean swipe!"

Sunset ignored the warning and started to crawl through the passage once more until she saw the initial entrance start to close. The close quarters hindered her movements as she tried to hurry before she was cut off. Suddenly she felt hands on her legs trying to drag her out of the passage.

"Leave it! He said to run, don't make him do all this for nothing!"

"I can't leave him with that thing! Spike! Spike!"

She kept yelling and crawling only for the dust in the hole to start floating and hindering her breathing. As she tried to throw Bix off her the bag where she stored the gems opened and threw out the Garnet inside. She stared at it for a minute only to recite the words as she grabbed it. From what she could see, Spike was trying once more to cut the head off as the illusions started to fade. She tossed the gem towards the entrance and watched it shatter as she closed her eyes.

Silence surrounded her as she opened her eyes and found the door moving even slower than before. She tried crawling once again only to find added weight to her body as Bix was dragged with her. As she reached the other side of the door inched itself only a millimeter. She looked towards Spike to find him standing still in the path of cluster of lights.

The lights inched closer to him little by little as his expression grew grim. The undead's shrieking wasn't heard though it seemed to be moving at a snail's pace. Getting up, she found Bix still clinging to her and his face slowly moving.

"It slows time..." She said in a whisper. "I have to hurry!"

She grabbed the kid and dragged him out of the hole and released his grip before putting to one side. She then ran towards Spike and the undead pushing the dragon away from the lights. She could tell that he was seeing her as his face became confused. The lights started to move closer and faster as she moved away from them.

"It's starting back up." Sunset grabbed Spike's sword and slashed at the apologist's neck. She wasn't strong enough to slice it off as it embedded itself halfway. Time was beginning to return to normal as she struggled to take it out. When she finally freed the blade from the meaty holster, she once again swung at it's neck putting her entire weight behind it.

As it struck the rotting flesh, she could hear Spike crashing into a table and Bix finishing what he was saying. The apologist shrieked one last time before it's head fell off and the body slumped forward. Sunset moved out of the way and the light of the spell it cast dissipated.

"Shit! What the fuck just happened?!" Bix yelled as he tried to scramble to his feet.

Spike rushed forward after collecting himself and stomped on the head laying on the ground with a horrible squelch and crunch. It wasn't until the head had become a hideous mass of rotten flesh, teeth, and shattered bones that he took a deep breath.

"Spike! Are you ok?" Sunset asked as she rushed to his side.

Bix walked up to the pair as Spike turned to face Sunset. His faced showed nothing less than fury as slapped her. Bix stopped halfway and decided to sit down on the nearest chair rather than continue.

"Wha.." Sunset muttered as she held a hand to her left cheek.

"What the fuck were you thinking?! You could have gotten killed!"

"I was trying to save you! I couldn't just leave you to alone with that thing!"

"I told you to trust me! You said you'd follow what I told you and yet you pull this shit again! Stop thinking about others and think about your own safety; you fucking idiot!"

"I can't just leave one of my friends to die!"

"We aren't friends!" Spike yelled in a huff.

Sunset took a step back as she took in his words. Spike started to calm down only to realize what he'd said. He watched Sunset's expression become downcast and stayed in place as she walked away towards Bix's location. He remained still as he heard a chair screech and a footsteps coming closer.

"I'll uh... I'll go ahead and search the body. Get some rest, we should be leaving pretty soon after all."

"I'll help you."

"Are you sure? Don't you... want to talk her?"

"No. It's best to just leave her alone for now."

The two of them crouched over the body and pried the book out of it's cold hand. The hand clutching it came off as well and Spike had to cut it off before they could open it. As they did, the book shone and flashed; blinding them in process. Once their vision came back they noticed all the pages had become blank except for the first.

"Fuck, it had a trap on it."

"What spell is left? I'm still seeing spots myself."

"It's the basic healing spell. It's fine, that's all we need. Even if it's just basic; it does more than other spells since it's an apologist book. It should be enough to cure the kids back home. I guess the rest will just come back as it's mastered." Bix closed the book and held on to it as he searched the body's cloak for anything else.

"Aha!" he said as he pulled a bundle from the inside of the coat. He opened the bundle to reveal papers and ink along with some small stones. "This guy was into some serious magic. Not often you find counterfeit paper; let alone some chance stones."

Spike grabbed the papers and stones and stuffed them into his pocket before Bix could protest.

"What the fuck! I wanted those!"

"Deal with it. I had to deal with the fucking thing so I'm taking everything besides the book."

Bix grumbled and walked off to join Sunset as Spike searched the corpse once more and took it's clothes. As he sat down next to the girl he noticed her staring at a rock.

"You alright?"

"Hmm? Yea, I was just... lost in thought is all." She continued to stare at the rock in her hand and turned it over feeling it's smooth surface. It was the same one that she'd gotten during her encounter with the Mad God's agent. The surface looked the same as any other rock but the texture felt too smooth to be natural. It felt as if it was pulsing the longer she held it. As if it was going to start moving on it's own at any moment.

"Let's go. We have quite a bit of ground to cover until we make it back to town." Spike said as he came to where the pair was sitting.

"Fine by me. Now that we have the book; I'd rather get back as soon as possible and heal the kids. Though, with what we encountered here so far I'm kind of curious as to what else is inside this dungeon."

"You're welcome to stay if you want Bix. Sunset and I will be leaving as my part of the deal is complete."

"Yea, yea. I get you. I'll undo the curse as soon as we're out of here and you two can go about your ways." he said as the boy walked past the dragon. He was stopped by Spike grabbing hold of his shoulder.

"The deal was for that book you have as well."

"What curse?" Sunset asked coming up from behind.

"It's nothing. Just something between me and the kid."

Sunset stayed silent and Bix took a moment to look at the claw holding him and felt the pressure coming from it. He dug through his belongings and handed the book over to his bodyguard. Spike let him go and stored the book away. They backtracked through the dungeon until the came upon the pile of rubble blocking the path to the entrance. Sunset was silent the whole trek back only raising her voice when asked a yes or no question.

The air was tense with frustration from Spike and Sunset as Bix helped his bodyguard remove the rubble blocking the path. Sunset just stood apart from them silently keeping guard. Once the rubble was cleared and they returned to the entrance; Bix stopped the party to do a final check.

"Listen, since we're already here I might as well let you know that the curse was just me bluffing."

"What?!" Spike yelled.

"I know, I know. I shouldn't have lied but I really needed this book. I'll make it up to you by getting you some of the supplies you need free of charge."

"You mean by stealing them?" Sunset added as the two continued to stare at each other.

"Take it or leave it. I don't really care. I'm just trying to be fair since you've done all you could to make it so I get back alive."

"We'll take it." Spike responded immediately before Sunset could refuse. "I could care less if it's stolen. As long as they aren't marked it'll be fine."

"They won't be. My guys have learned how to wipe that kind of stuff off. Though, if you could spare more of that meat, I might be able to add in something extra."

"I'll think about it."

"All I ask."

"Yea? Well, you've already asked enough." Spike grabbed Bix and put him over his shoulder. He stretched his hand out for Sunset who took it and climbed onto his back.

All three of them said their silent goodbyes to the dungeon as Spike climbed down from the tree slowly. As they reached the bottom; the long trek to town started and ended in complete silence until they reached the familiar gate. It was then a noise came from the other side and a body came barreling out of the small entrance to the side.

"Keep out you no good lazy miser!" a voice yelled from inside.

"Yea?! Well fuck you too." the large man responded as he dusted himself off. He looked at the door before turning and spotting the party. "You again? Whatever, quit staring and mind your own." he said walking off into the forest.

"What was that about?" Bix asked as he held on to Spike due to having trouble walking.

"We saw him the first time we came here. Didn't think they'd let him in again."

"Didn't know you were acquainted with an elder"

"Elder?" Sunset asked; breaking her silence.

"He's an elder of the town. That's what we call the people that have been here since the place was established."

"How long ago was that?"

"Oh some 735 years ago."

"That's impossible! No one can be that old!"

"This is the Domains. Anything is possible so deal with it."

The trio walked though the small entrance and towards the hideout. They noticed the shops were completely different than when they left. Bix chalked it up to the town's continuous shifting and checked a sign he'd left to know what had shifted before continuing. As they crossed the river and traversed several rooftops and alleyways a clear sense of change crept among them. It wasn't until they reached their destination that Bix said something.

"This can't be it."

"What do you mean? It's the place you told me to go." Spike responded as he let the boy down.

"No, I mean, yea it is the place according to the signs. However, something's wrong here; this feels completely different."

Spike and Sunset watched as the boy hobbled over to the door way and knocked in a strange manner. The door opened and a young woman stood at the entrance.

"Who the fuck are you?" Bix asked crudely.

"Bix? Is that you?" the woman said shaking slightly.

"Depends. Who's asking?"

"It's me. Sarah."

"No... you can't..."

The woman lifted her hair and showed him scar. Bix stared at it in disbelief as he recognized the mark for his friend's birthmark.

"How long?" he asked in a small voice.

"Four years." was all she managed to say as tears formed in her eyes.

Author's Note

Personally, I think I like this story a lot more than the rest of them. If I had to rank them then this would be number one and The Village would be second. Dear Twilight and Dimming Flame would compete for third.

As always, thank you for taking the time to read my story. Please leave a comment or critique below as any critique helps me grow as a writer. Have a wonderful day!